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SafeTripNJ iPhone FAQ

The Application will not install.

SafeTripNJ is currently supported on iOS versions 6.0 and up and should install properly on those versions and subversions of the OS. You may want to uninstall any previous versions of SafeTripNJ before installing a new version. Otherwise, a phone reboot before installation may solve the issue.

I've started the app, but I am not hearing any advisories, what's going on?

Several items can be occurring if you are no longer hearing advisories:

  • You may be in an area where no advisories are in the radius you selected. If you think there should be, try pressing the "replay all" button on the far right of the audio controls. This will reset your connection and replay active advisories near you.
  • Your advisory radius may be set to a low value.
  • You may not be in range of a cell tower to provide data access. Ask a passenger to look at the phone (or when you are stopped) to check for any possible error messages related to the cellular network. Once you are back in range of your network, advisories should resume.
  • Your phone may be simply attempting to acquire a location for your device. If you have wireless location (settings -> Wi-Fi) enabled, you can generally get quicker response times as the phone can utilize this less accurate location while it acquires a more solid GPS lock. If you only have GPS location enabled, allow the device sufficient time to acquire a lock.

If the app is still not working as expected, then perhaps there was a problem with the download or installation of the app. When not driving, uninstall the app and re-download and install it in a place where you have access to the internet.

I am sitting in traffic/an incident and SafeTripNJ did not tell me about it. Why?

You may be arriving to the incident before it has arrived to our system. If you don't hear an advisory shortly, then there could be other factors.

Your phone may have lost internet access. Some areas have weak cellular coverage, so this is possible from time to time. The app will not work without internet access, but when it loses internet access, it will continue to try to automatically reconnect.

If the app is still not working as expected, then perhaps there was a problem with the download or installation of the app. When not driving, uninstall the app and re-download and install it in a place where you have access to the internet.

SafeTripNJ continues to tell me "There are no active advisories". Shouldn't it be silent?

If the app continues to say that there are no current advisories, your phone may have lost internet access. Some areas have weak cellular coverage, so this is possible from time to time. The app will not work without internet access, and when it loses internet access, it will continue to try to automatically reconnect. When SafeTripNJ automatically reconnects, the "No advisories" message will be replayed when there are no advisories.

SafeTripNJ is giving me advisories in an incorrect location. Doesn't it know where I am?

If the app does not give any advisories, your phone may have lost internet access. Some areas have weak cellular coverage, so this is possible from time to time. The app will not work without internet access, and when it loses internet access, it will continue to try to automatically reconnect.

You should also check your phone's GPS Settings-make sure the phone's GPS is turned on and the phone has a clear view of the sky so your GPS can be read and your location and direction of travel identified. This process may take several minutes. If SafeTripNJ experiences a GPS error, it will be displayed in red on the main screen.

The screen shows that advisories are playing, why can't I hear them?

If the screen displays that an advisory is playing, but you cannot hear it, turn up your phone's media volume. There are typically volume controls on the side of the phone, but each phone model may function differently. Check the user guide for your particular phone.

How do I minimize the SafeTripNJ App to leave it running in the background while I use my phone for other functions?

You can click the "home" button and SafeTripNJ will continue to play advisories for you while you use other phone functions. If you just want to turn off the sound from playing, simply toggle the On/Off switch to "Off". To have sounds resume playing again, toggle it back to the "on" position.

How do I close the SafeTripNJ App?

SafeTripNJ uses the controls right on your device.

For iOS versions 6 and lower: First, Press the Home button once to minimize the app. Then, press the home button twice quickly to display the list of running applications. Locate the SafeTripNJ icon (on this screen or by scrolling). Press and hold down the SafeTripNJ icon. Now the icons on the screen will start to wiggle and each icon have a red - on the top corner. Find the SafeTripNJ icon and press the red -. The app will now be closed.

If you are using iOS 7, Press the home button twice quickly to display the list of running applications. Locate the SafeTripNJ icon (on this screen or by scrolling). Swipe up on the screenshot of the app you want to exit. The graphic will fly off the screen and the app will now be closed.

Advisories were playing, but suddenly playback stopped, what's happening?

Be sure first that you are still connected to your provider's cellular network. (You need to be connected to receive the sound files). If you are connected, the most likely reason for the playback to stop is that another application began playback of another audio file and halted the SafeTripNJ application's audio stream. If this occurs, simply switch back into the SafeTripNJ application and press "play" to continue SafeTripNJ audio, if hitting play does not resume the audio or you wish to rehear all advisories, press the "Replay" button on the far right of the audio controls to restart your connection.

I cannot retrieve a connection ID upon startup of the application, what's happening?

Either you are not in an area where the cellular data network is not available, or permissions for network usage have been disabled for SafeTripNJ. Ensure your network is within range, and permissions have been set to allow access for this application.

If the app is still not working as expected, then perhaps there was a problem with the download or installation of the app. When not driving, uninstall the app and re-download and install it in a place where you have access to the internet.

I receive a GPS error upon starting the application, what's happening?

Ensure that you have provided permissions to the SafeTripNJ application to use your GPS and location settings. You can find this option on your home screen under Settings -> Location Services and then look for the "SafeTripNJ" toggle which should be in the "ON" position. The "Location Services" toggle at the top of the screen must be "ON" as well.

Note: If you are unable to toggle the Location Services for SafeTripNJ to "ON", you might have Location Services blocked through Restrictions. Go to Settings -> General -> Restrictions, and enter your passcode. Tap "Location" under the "Allow Changes" menu. Tap on the "Allow Changes" menu item to allow Location service changes. Make sure the toggle for Location Services is "on". Switch the toggle next to SafeTripNJ to the "On" Position.

If you are still seeing the message after those options are set, you may be in an area where location data is not available. Try to move into range of several cell towers, or provide the phone a clear view of the sky to collect GPS coordinates.

How do I change the settings?

With the SafeTripNJ app open, tap the "Settings" link at the bottom of the screen. You may return to the main Audio Control screen by tapping the "Home" button located at the bottom of the screen.

Can I select which type of advisories I hear?

Yes. There are several advisory types available for your audio stream.

  • Highways - Non-Construction
  • Highways - Construction
  • Toll Roads - Non-Construction
  • Toll Roads - Construction
  • Bridges & Tunnels
  • Other Local Roadways - Non-Construction
  • Other Local Roadways - Construction
  • Large/Heavy Truck
  • Highways include: I-80, I-287, I-95, I-78, I-278, I-195, I-295, NJ 42, NJ 55, NJ 15, NJ 17, NJ 24, and NJ 495.
  • Toll Roads include: NJ Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and AC Expressway.
  • Other Local Roadways include all available data on other roadways not listed.

By default, the Non-Construction advisory types are selected for you. Construction and Large/Heavy Truck Options are not selected by default. They generally do not impact traffic. If you wish to include or exclude either of these advisory types from your broadcast, you may do so through the settings page (access "Settings" by tapping your phone's menu button, and selecting "Settings"). Tap on the Advisory Type Preferences button, and check or un-check your selections.

I need to call the NJ Turnpike/Garden State Parkway/Atlantic City Expressway/NJDOT - how do I reach someone?

Have a passenger dial, or dial when you are not driving. Tap the "More Features" link at the bottom of the main screen. You will be prompted to acknowledge you are not driving. A listing of "More Features" will be displayed. Select "Emergency Numbers". A list of important NJ Turnpike/GSP/ACE/DOT numbers is displayed. Tap the number to dial. You may return to the main screen by tapping "Audio Controls" at the bottom of the screen.

I have a comment about SafeTripNJ. How do I contact you?

Have a passenger operate the phone, or operate the phone when you are not driving. Tap the "More Features" link at the bottom of the main screen. You will be prompted to acknowledge you are not driving. A listing of "More Features" will be displayed. Tap the "Feedback" option. Enter your name and your comments in the appropriate boxes. If you would like a reply, include your e-mail address. Click "Send Comments" to send your comment.

When I connect my cellphone via Bluetooth to the car, I cannot hear the alerts.

Depending on the version of Bluetooth you have and the devices you own, the ability to hear media via Bluetooth can vary from "not at all" to "full support". A2DP Bluetooth devices support media playback, and some vehicles contain special Bluetooth settings that will allow your device to play media files through your built-in stereo system.

SafeTripNJ attempts to play via Bluetooth through compatible setups, but unfortunately not all Bluetooth users/devices will work well.

My location is wrong - the map on my app places me in the middle of the ocean, near the west coast of Africa. How can I fix my location?

This is occurring because your iPhone is not giving the app access to your location. To rectify this issue, your iPhone's location services for this app must be set to "Always." This allows the app to provide alerts even when it is not on the main screen, or when the phone goes into sleep mode. To verify that this setting is correct, go to Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services. Please be sure that the general Location Services button is set to on/green, and then select "Always" next to the app.

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